Electrode holder



Sept. 18, 1934. J, CHURCHWARD 1,973,701

'ELEcTRoDE HOLDER Filed DBC. 2, 1931 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 18, V1934 1,973,701 ELECTRODE HOLDER Jack Churchward, New Haven,

Application December 2,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrode holder for use in electric arc welding, and more particularly to an electrode holder in which the electrode gripping portion is detachable.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved electrode holder construction wherein the electrode blades or gripping members are readily renewable. The above and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the electrode holder partly in section and showing the blades separate from the base member;

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the parts assembled;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Figure 1;- and Figure 4 is struction.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing and wherein like referpartly in section a similar view of a modified conpreferably screw-threaded to receive the threaded parts 3 of a pair of electrode blades or jaws or hold or grip 7, preferably in the form of a ber tube, and secured in position by any suitable means, such as a screw 8. The electrode grips 4 preferably have a suitable amount of spring to them and may be made in any suitable way, but are preferably formed from pieces of half round steel forged to shape with the end portions which are to receive the threads 3 left in a half round condition.

The grips 4 composed of the two separate members are screwed into the socket 2, and a. guard member 9' of ber, or other suitable material, having a. loose flt is provided.

When the grips are in assembled relation in the base member, the outer portions 10 of the grips -are preferably in sprung-together contact. Since the screw-threaded portions of the electrode grips vare free from each other, a good electric contact is provided between the threaded socket 2 and the threaded portions'3 by virtue of an electrode forcing the threaded portions 3 apart and into close contact with the threaded socket 2 when 55 the electrode is forced past the end 11 and into Conn.

1931, Serial No. 578,457

(Cl. 21S-8) one of the sets of holding notches 12. An opening 13 in the guard member 9 is preferably elongated at the opposite ends 14 so as not to interfere with the springing apart of the grips 4. The shoulders 4 of the grips 4 engage the guard 60 member 9 only adjacent the plane of contact of the grips 4 so as not to prevent the springing trode to force the blades apart when it is inserted, or, if desired, suitable operating means ing. In the drawing the socket has been shown as formed by forging, with portions 17 of the grips pressed back to form the socket. Secured to the cam 15 is an operating extension 18 which extends loosely through a hole 19 in one of the 80 This operating extension is bent at 20 and extends through an aperture 21 in the guard member 9 with a finger engaging end 22 adjacent the fibre hand hold 7. 'Ihe aperture 21 is elongated to permit freedom of rocking movement of the operating extension 18 of the cam 15.

In the modified construction shown in Figure 4, an opening 23 extends entirely across the adjoining faces of the grips 4 and has seated thereas previously described concerningthe construction shown in Figure 3.

An outer edge or surface 28 of the guard member 9 is preferably non-circular, being shown in the drawing as square with rounded corners. By having one or more non-circular or at places it@ on the guard member 9 suitably placed with reto the opening 21, the nger engaging end 22 which extends through the opening 21 holds the at places in such position that the electrode holder with an electrode gripped at one of the 305 sets of holding notches 12 can be laid down with the electrode extending horizontally without risk of the electrode contacting with anything and causing a short circuit.

The wire or cable through which current is u@ supplied is preferably sweated in a socket in the rear portion 29 of the base member 1 in theusual way. Openings between the lugs 5 together with the annular space 30 provide circulation of air which aids in keeping the base or hand member cool.

It will be seen that by having the electrode blades or grips readily detachable from the base or hand member instead of integral therewith, new grips can be readily and economically substituted for those worn out. Also, different types of grips can be readily substituted for one another in order to accommodate dierent sizes of wire electrodes or to accommodate carbon electrodes, etc.

The invention may be embodied in other` specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention and the present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the range of equivalents of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1. An electrode holder comprising a conducting base member having a screw-threaded socket and a .pair of electrode grips having separate portions together forming a split plug threadedly engaged in said threaded socket, the threaded portions of said pair of electrode grips being adapted to wedge against the threads of the threaded socket when forced apart by an electrode held in gripped position between the pair of electrode grips. Y

2. An electrode holder comprising a conduct-s ing base member having a screw-threaded socket and a pair of electrode grips having separate portions together forming a split plug threadedly engaged in said threaded socket.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrode grips having separate portions threadecll and together adapted to form a split, threaded p ug.

' 4. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrode grips having separate portions threaded, the threaded portions o f said pair of electrode grips being held in assembled relation to form a split plug. v

5. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrode grips formed from half round stock, each grip having a half round portion at one end with a thread on its half round surface and having its other end flattened.

6. An electrode holder comprising a base member, a pair of electrode grips connected to said base member, a guard member adjacent the place of connection between the base member and electrode grips and having a non-circular outer edge constructed and adapted to non-rotatably rest on a surface, and means adapted to spring the electrode grips apart and having an operating member extending past and cooperating with the guard member to determine the rotational position of the lnon-circularA outer edge of the guardvmember relative to the electrode grips.

7. An electrode holder comprising a pair of electrode grips, a non-circular cam between said grips, and operating means extending transversely through one grip and connected to and adapted to rotate said cam on its axis to spring said grips apart.

JACK CHURCHWARD. 

